Carlotta Brett-Pierce, the Brooklyn mother whose four-year-old daughter weighed 18 pounds at the time of her death, pleaded not guilty to assault charges at the New York State Supreme courthouse today. Her daughter Marchella was found dead in September. Prosecutors say Brett-Pierce had abused the child, tying her to a bed and beating her with a belt. Bail was set at $500,000, and the court considers Brett-Pierce a flight risk, NY1 reports.
Prosecutors still await the results of the child’s autopsy, and may yet upgrade the charge to murder.
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